A highly-developed university and research landscape plus innovative companies shape the scientific-research system in Germany. The high quality of academic training "Made in Germany" is recognised worldwide. More than 100 research universities train 70% of the students in Germany. With more than 250,000 scientists and investigators working here, Germany is the world's third-largest "country of researchers".

The strengths of German research traditionally lie in mechanical engineering, chemistry, medicine, physics and mathematics. Some disciplines of the humanities also play an outstanding role. German scientists and research institutes are world leaders in biomedicine and medical engineering, in environmental research and automotive engineering, and in engineering, in general. But German scientists and researchers also play their part in the world's top groups in the future fields of optical technologies, microsystems engineering, neurosciences, biotechnology and process engineering. In 2003, more than 13,000 German inventions were patented throughout Europe, meaning that almost one quarter of all European patents are based on developments made by German scientists. And Germany actually comes 1st in the field of nanotechnology,

So, research in Germany is particularly attractive for international academics and scientists: guests from many countries carry out research at Germany's universities and scientific institutes. Alone 20,000 foreign researchers are supported by German funding organisations, while a large number of scientists additionally finance their stays in Germany by other means. [source: DAAD]

Here are some of the German research institutes playing roles worldwide.

1. German Aerospace Center:

   DLR (Deutsches Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt or German Aerospace Center) is the research center for aeronautics and spaceflight of Germany. Its extensive research and development work is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility for the country’s spaceflight activities by the German federal government.

   Today DLR is the largest research establishment for engineering sciences in Germany. The DLR is subdivided in the four research fields, aeronautics, astronautics, energy and transportation and consists of 28 research institutes and scientific/technical facilities at 8 sites and 4 branches.

   [Mainul Hoque, DLR, Neustrelitz]

    

2. GKSS

   GKSS Research Center is a member of Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. Established in 1956, GKSS concentrated basically on nuclear propulsion systems and ocean research, as a result Germany launched the first efficient nuclear powered merchant ship which was technically and economically successful for the first time in the world. One can see, the name GKSS comes from Gesellschaft für Kernenergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schiffahrt, and still the name remains, although, a paradigm shift selecting the research areas came with the course of time. Now-a-day with the motto “Wissenschaft Nutzen-Avail the Science” GKSS is working for improving present and foreseeable future increasing the mobility and developing low energy consumption technology, producing regenerative cells for medical use, predicting climate-change effects on the earth and more recent interesting topics (more information: http://www.gkss.de/index_e_js.html). The scientific works are under three institutes: Material Research, Polymer Research and Coastal Research. At least 600 scientists are engaged for their innovative works.

   The diversity of research works in GKSS interest the scientists from all over the world. One can benefit a very international working environment with a cordial English spoken surrounding in GKSS. Students, as well as, researcher are very much welcomed here for their B.Sc/Master's Thesis, PhD or a part of their Projects

   [Rizviul Kabir, GKSS, Geesthacht]

    

3. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

   The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft undertakes applied research of direct utility to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe. Its research activities are conducted by 58 Fraunhofer Institutes at over 40 different locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft employs a staff of around 12,400, who work with an annual research budget totaling 1.25 billion euros. Roughly two thirds of this sum is generated through contract research on behalf of industry and publicly funded research projects.
   
   The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is also active on an international level: Affiliated research centers and representative offices in Europe, the USA and Asia provide contact with the regions of greatest importance to present and future scientific progress and economic development.
   
   The research fields covered by Fraunhofer are Adaptronics, Image Processing, Digital Cinema, eGovernment, Energy, Grid Computing, High-Performance Ceramics, Information and Communication Technology, Life Sciences, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Numeric Simulation, Surface Technology and Photonics, Optical-Functional Surfaces, Photocatalysis Polymer Surfaces, Production, Protein Chips, Rapid Prototyping Cleaning Technology, Traffic and Transportation, Defence and Security and Materials and Components.

   [Hamidul Haque, Fraunhofer Institute, Stuttgart]